Opinion

Mayor on Duty - Women battled for voting rights

Labor Day signals change in seasons, including the earnest kickoff of the political season.  COVID-19 has the potential to impact these events. It will be a special election in 2020, although I have come to believe all elections are special.

Events are different, but welcome

A common question since the COVID-19 pandemic took hold of the national spotlight in March has been, “When will we get back to normal?” The answer may sound grim, but is quite possibly never. Depending on which panel of experts, doctors, scientists, etc.

Mayor on Duty - Battling COVID-19 among first responders

A major COVID-19 challenge facing our community is how to protect and manage first responders and personnel that continuously interact with the public. County and municipal officials are doing everything possible to keep employees healthy so they can serve the public.

School board in no-win situation

Being caught between a rock and a hard place is never an enviable position. Unfortunately for the Macon County Board of Education, and superintendent Chris Baldwin, that is exactly where they find themselves at the moment. On Aug.

Roadside greenery a driving hazard

Anyone who has driven through the Cullasaja Gorge along US 64 in the direction of Franklin can attest that the roadway is narrowing.

Mayor on Duty - Full Aug. 20 agenda for commissioners

The August meeting of the Highlands Town Board will be held at 7 p.m. tonight. The town website has the Zoom meeting access information. I am adding an option to Zoom tonight, provided the technology works. I will be on Zoom at the Highlands Conference Center next to the baseball field.

Mayor on Duty - Battling an indoor bird problem

I’ve had a bird problem.  It started last summer when I went to fire my large gas kiln. After loading the kiln, I turned to access a small shed where I keep some 75 firebricks that make up the door to the kiln. The bricks are stacked to enclose the kiln opening before firing.

Teachers deserve extra credit

Everyone remembers his or her favorite teacher.

Mayor on Duty – DOT issues ongoing

I attended the Transportation Advisory Committee of the Southwestern Commission last Thursday by way of Zoom. As always NCDOT Division 14 staff were present, along with county and municipal elected officials.

Graduation ceremony a welcome reprieve

Everything looked like it’s supposed to. For one brief span of approximately 40 minutes on Saturday morning, all appeared to be right with the world in Highlands.